CHAPTER 8

Building Blocks of Integrated-Circuit Amplifiers

Microelectronic Circuits, Seventh Edition Sedra/Smith Copyright © 2015 by Oxford University Press
 Basic MOSFET current source (current mirror)

Figure 8.2 Basic MOSFET current mirror.

Figure 8.1 Circuit for a basic MOSFET
constant-current source. For proper operation, Q2 should be in saturation,
the output terminal, that is, the drain of Q2, 𝑉𝑉𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺 < 𝑉𝑉𝑡𝑡
must be connected to a circuit that ensures that
Q2 operates in saturation.
𝐼𝐼𝑂𝑂 ≈ 𝐼𝐼𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 for matched MOSFETS
Microelectronic Circuits, Seventh Edition Sedra/Smith Copyright © 2015 by Oxford University Press
 MOSFET current mirror

𝐼𝐼𝑂𝑂 𝑊𝑊⁄𝐿𝐿 2
=
𝐼𝐼𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 𝑊𝑊⁄𝐿𝐿 1

Easy to change 𝐼𝐼𝑂𝑂 by choosing 𝑊𝑊2

Channel-length modulation (Early) effect:

1) finite output resistance

𝑉𝑉𝐴𝐴𝐴 1
𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜 = =
Figure 8.2 Basic MOSFET current mirror.
𝐼𝐼𝑂𝑂 𝜆𝜆2 𝐼𝐼𝑂𝑂
2) (in other words) 𝐼𝐼𝑂𝑂 slightly depends on 𝑉𝑉𝑂𝑂

𝑊𝑊⁄𝐿𝐿 2 𝑉𝑉𝑂𝑂 −𝑉𝑉𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺

𝐼𝐼𝑂𝑂 = ⁄
𝐼𝐼𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 (1 + )
𝑊𝑊 𝐿𝐿 1 𝑉𝑉𝐴𝐴𝐴
 Current-steering circuit

Figure 8.4 A current-steering circuit.

Microelectronic Circuits, Seventh Edition Sedra/Smith Copyright © 2015 by Oxford University Press
 BJT current mirror

Figure 8.7 The basic BJT current mirror. Figure 8.9 A simple BJT current source.

𝐼𝐼𝑂𝑂 ≈ 𝐼𝐼𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 for matched BJTs

Microelectronic Circuits, Seventh Edition Sedra/Smith Copyright © 2015 by Oxford University Press
 Current steering with BJTs

Figure 8.10 Generation of a number of constant currents of various magnitudes.

Microelectronic Circuits, Seventh Edition Sedra/Smith Copyright © 2015 by Oxford University Press
 BJT current mirror

𝐼𝐼𝐶𝐶 2
𝐼𝐼𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 = 𝐼𝐼𝐶𝐶 + 2 = 𝐼𝐼𝐶𝐶 1 +
𝛽𝛽 𝛽𝛽

𝐼𝐼𝑂𝑂 1 2
= ≈1−
𝐼𝐼𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 ⁄
1 + 2 𝛽𝛽 𝛽𝛽

With Early effect:

Figure 8.8 Analysis of the current mirror
taking into account the finite β of the BJTs.
𝐼𝐼𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 𝑉𝑉𝑂𝑂 − 𝑉𝑉𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵
𝐼𝐼𝑂𝑂 = 1+
1 + 2⁄𝛽𝛽 𝑉𝑉𝐴𝐴𝐴

Output resistance 𝑅𝑅𝑜𝑜 = 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜 = 𝑉𝑉𝐴𝐴𝐴 ⁄𝐼𝐼𝑂𝑂

Microelectronic Circuits, Seventh Edition Sedra/Smith Copyright © 2015 by Oxford University Press
 BJT current mirror with base-current compensation
Instead of 𝐼𝐼𝑂𝑂 ≈ 1 − 2⁄𝛽𝛽 𝐼𝐼𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅
for simple mirror, it is now better:

2
𝐼𝐼𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 = 𝐼𝐼𝑂𝑂 1+
𝛽𝛽 𝛽𝛽 + 1

2
𝐼𝐼𝑂𝑂 ≈ 1 − 2 𝐼𝐼𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅
𝛽𝛽

However, output resistance is

still not improved, 𝑅𝑅𝑜𝑜 = 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜
Figure 8.11 A current mirror with base-current
compensation.

Microelectronic Circuits, Seventh Edition Sedra/Smith Copyright © 2015 by Oxford University Press
 BJT Wilson mirror

Reduces inaccuracy of 𝐼𝐼𝑂𝑂 /𝐼𝐼𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅

and also improves (increases) 𝑅𝑅𝑂𝑂

2
𝐼𝐼𝑂𝑂 ≈ 1 − 2 𝐼𝐼𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅
𝛽𝛽

𝑅𝑅𝑜𝑜 = 𝛽𝛽3 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜 /2

(derivations are not trivial)

Figure 8.40 The Wilson bipolar

current mirror: circuit showing
We will discuss some other
improved current mirrors later
analysis to determine the current
transfer ratio
 Basic IC design philosophy: resistors are expensive (especially
large resistances), transistors are cheap.
Try to avoid resistors (do as much as possible with transistors).

Idea of active load: replace load resistors with transistors or with

transistor-based circuits (current mirrors).

output resistance
𝑟𝑟02

Figure 8.13

Use transistor(s) to create current source 𝐼𝐼.

𝐴𝐴𝑣𝑣 = −𝑔𝑔𝑚𝑚 (𝑅𝑅𝐷𝐷 ∥ 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜 )
Then 𝐴𝐴𝑣𝑣 = −𝑔𝑔𝑚𝑚𝑚 (𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜 ∥ 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜 ).
Wish to increase 𝑅𝑅𝐷𝐷
 CS amplifier with PMOS active load

𝐴𝐴𝑣𝑣 = −𝑔𝑔𝑚𝑚𝑚 (𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜 ∥ 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜 )

(dc value of the output

voltage is not obvious)

Figure 8.15 (a) The CS amplifier with the current-source load implemented with a p-channel MOSFET Q2;
(b) the circuit with Q2 replaced with its large-signal model; and (c) small-signal equivalent circuit of the amplifier.
CS amplifier with current mirror as active load

𝐴𝐴𝑣𝑣 = −𝑔𝑔𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑅𝑅𝑜𝑜

𝑅𝑅𝑜𝑜 = 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜 ∥ 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜

𝑅𝑅𝑖𝑖 = ∞

𝐴𝐴𝑣𝑣 = −𝑔𝑔𝑚𝑚𝑚 (𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜 ∥ 𝑟𝑟02 )

Figure 8.16 (dc value of the output

voltage is not obvious)
 CG amplifier with current mirror as active load

1
𝐴𝐴𝑣𝑣 = 𝑔𝑔𝑚𝑚𝑚 + 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜 ∥ 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜
𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜
≈ 𝑔𝑔𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜 ∥ 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜

𝑅𝑅𝑜𝑜 = 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜 ∥ 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜

1 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜
𝑅𝑅𝑖𝑖 ≈ 1+
𝑔𝑔𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜

Figure P8.55
 Source follower with active load

𝑅𝑅𝑖𝑖 ≈ ∞
𝑔𝑔𝑚𝑚𝑚
𝐴𝐴𝑣𝑣 = ≈1
𝑔𝑔𝑚𝑚𝑚 + 1⁄𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜 + 1⁄𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜
1 1
𝑅𝑅𝑜𝑜 = ∥ 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜 ∥ 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜 ≈
Figure 8.45 (a) A source follower biased with a
𝑔𝑔𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑔𝑔𝑚𝑚𝑚
current mirror Q2−Q3 and with the body terminal
indicated. Note that the source cannot be connected
to the body and thus the body effect should be Actually, the body effect is important, then
1 1
taken into account. (b) Equivalent circuit.
𝐴𝐴𝑣𝑣 ≈ =
1 + 𝜒𝜒 1 + 𝑔𝑔𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 ⁄𝑔𝑔𝑚𝑚𝑚
 Next subject: MOS cascode

for simplicity MOS cascode: common-source stage

loaded with common-gate stage
(similar with BJT: CE loaded with CB)

Idea: 1) increase output resistance

⇒ increase voltage gain
2) fast circuit because Q1 is loaded
with a rather small 1/𝑔𝑔𝑚𝑚𝑚

𝐴𝐴𝑣𝑣 = −𝐺𝐺𝑚𝑚 𝑅𝑅𝑜𝑜 𝐺𝐺𝑚𝑚 ≈ 𝑔𝑔𝑚𝑚𝑚

𝑅𝑅𝑜𝑜 ≈ 𝑔𝑔𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜

More accurately,
𝑔𝑔𝑚𝑚𝑚 + 1/𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜
Figure 8.30 (a) A MOS cascode amplifier 𝐺𝐺𝑚𝑚 = 𝑔𝑔
with an ideal current-source load
𝑔𝑔𝑚𝑚𝑚 + 1⁄𝑟𝑟01 + 1⁄𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝑚𝑚𝑚
𝑅𝑅𝑜𝑜 = 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜 + 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜 + 𝑔𝑔𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝑟𝑟02
 Derivation of output resistance 𝑅𝑅𝑜𝑜 for cascode

𝑣𝑣𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔 = −𝑖𝑖𝑥𝑥 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜

𝑣𝑣𝑥𝑥 = 𝑖𝑖𝑥𝑥 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜 + 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝑖𝑖𝑥𝑥 − 𝑔𝑔𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑣𝑣𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔

= 𝑖𝑖𝑥𝑥 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜 + 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝑖𝑖𝑥𝑥 1 + 𝑔𝑔𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜
= 𝑖𝑖𝑥𝑥 [𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜 + 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜 1 + 𝑔𝑔𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜 ]
𝑅𝑅𝑜𝑜 = 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜 + 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜 + 𝑔𝑔𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜 ≈ 𝑔𝑔𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜
usual output resistance 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜 is increased by 𝑔𝑔𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑟𝑟01

Similarly, for a BJT cascode (will need later)

𝑅𝑅𝑜𝑜 = (𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜 ∥ 𝑟𝑟𝜋𝜋𝜋 ) + 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜 + 𝑔𝑔𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜 ∥ 𝑟𝑟𝜋𝜋𝜋 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜

neglect

≈ 𝑔𝑔𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑟𝑟𝜋𝜋𝜋 𝑟𝑟02 = 𝛽𝛽2 𝑟𝑟02

𝑟𝑟02 is increased by factor 𝛽𝛽2
 MOS cascode with ideal current source

𝑅𝑅𝑜𝑜 ≈ 𝑔𝑔𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜

𝐴𝐴𝑣𝑣 ≈ −𝑔𝑔𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑅𝑅𝑜𝑜 ≈ −𝑔𝑔𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝑔𝑔𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜

As if two stages of amplification, but

faster operation (first transistor loaded
with small 1/𝑔𝑔𝑚𝑚𝑚 )

Actually, needs a very good current source

Figure 8.30 (a) A MOS cascode amplifier
with an ideal current-source load
(with output resistance comparable to 𝑅𝑅𝑜𝑜 ).
Simple current mirror is not good enough
(only 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜 ), ⇒ we need either an improved
current mirror (discuss later) or another
cascode.
 MOS cascode with simple PMOS current source

Output resistance is 𝑅𝑅𝑜𝑜 ∥ 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜 .

Voltage gain is limited by 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜 .

Not quite good for voltage

gain, but still fast.

Figure 8.31 (a) A MOS cascode amplifier

loaded in a simple PMOS current source Q3.

Microelectronic Circuits, Seventh Edition Sedra/Smith Copyright © 2015 by Oxford University Press
 MOS cascode with cascode current source

𝑅𝑅𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 = 𝑔𝑔𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜

𝑅𝑅𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 = 𝑔𝑔𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜

𝐴𝐴𝑣𝑣 = −𝑔𝑔𝑚𝑚𝑚 (𝑅𝑅𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 ∥ 𝑅𝑅𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 )

output, 𝑣𝑣𝑜𝑜

If all 𝑔𝑔𝑚𝑚 are equal and all 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜 are equal,

input 1 2
then 𝐴𝐴𝑣𝑣 = − 𝑔𝑔𝑚𝑚 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜
2

Figure 8.33 A cascode amplifier with

a cascode current-source load.
 MOS double cascode

Each time increase output resistance

𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜 → 𝑔𝑔𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑟𝑟02 𝑟𝑟01

→ 𝑔𝑔𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝑔𝑔𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝑟𝑟01

𝐴𝐴𝑣𝑣 ≈ − 𝑔𝑔𝑚𝑚 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜 3

if ideal current source
1
if double-cascode as the current source, then ×
2

Figure 8.35 Double cascoding.

 MOS folded cascode

PMOS common gate load.

Equivalent to usual cascode.

Avoids “stacking” (requiring too large voltage).

Figure 8.36 The folded cascode.

Common-emitter BJT cascode
loaded with
common-base 𝑅𝑅𝑜𝑜 = (𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜 ∥ 𝑟𝑟𝜋𝜋𝜋 ) + 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜 + 𝑔𝑔𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜 ∥ 𝑟𝑟𝜋𝜋𝜋

≈ 𝑔𝑔𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑟𝑟𝜋𝜋𝜋 𝑟𝑟02 = 𝛽𝛽2 𝑟𝑟02

(as derived earlier)

𝐴𝐴𝑣𝑣 ≈ −𝑔𝑔𝑚𝑚1 𝑅𝑅𝑜𝑜 ≈ −𝑔𝑔𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝛽𝛽2 𝑟𝑟02

Impossible to double-cascode
because 𝑅𝑅𝑜𝑜 would still be the same
(though can double-cascode with
MOSFET in BiCMOS technology)

Figure 8.37 (a) A BJT cascode amplifier Needs “good” current source
with an ideal current-source load; (otherwise significantly less 𝐴𝐴𝑣𝑣 )
 BJT cascode with cascode current source

𝐴𝐴𝑣𝑣 = −𝑔𝑔𝑚𝑚𝑚 (𝛽𝛽2 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜 ∥ 𝛽𝛽3 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜 )

Figure 8.38 A BJT cascode amplifier

with a cascode current source.
 BiCMOS cascode

MOS loaded with BJT:

large input resistance of MOS and
large output resistance of BJT.
Also, faster (loaded with 𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑒 ).

𝐴𝐴𝑣𝑣 = −𝑔𝑔𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝛽𝛽2 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜

Figure P8.81

Microelectronic Circuits, Seventh Edition Sedra/Smith Copyright © 2015 by Oxford University Press
 Next subject: improved current mirrors

Basic BJT current mirror Wilson BJT current mirror

𝐼𝐼𝑂𝑂 ≈ 1 − 2⁄𝛽𝛽 𝐼𝐼𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 𝐼𝐼𝑂𝑂 ≈ 1 − 2⁄𝛽𝛽 2 𝐼𝐼𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 (better)

𝑅𝑅𝑜𝑜 = 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜 (not large) 𝑅𝑅𝑜𝑜 = 𝛽𝛽3 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜 /2 (larger)
 Wilson MOS mirror

Figure 8.41 The Wilson

MOS mirror: (a) circuit;
(c) modified circuit.

𝑅𝑅𝑜𝑜 = 𝑔𝑔𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜

Extra transistor to balance
Derivation is not trivial. (so that the same voltages
Result looks similar to cascode, in both branches)
but with different transistor
 Cascode MOS mirror

𝑅𝑅𝑜𝑜 = 𝑔𝑔𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑜

Drawback: stacked transistors,

“eats up” more voltage,
𝑉𝑉𝑜𝑜 > 𝑉𝑉𝑡𝑡 + 2 𝑉𝑉𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂

(since 𝑉𝑉𝐺𝐺𝐺 = 2(𝑉𝑉𝑡𝑡 + 2𝑉𝑉𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂 )

from Q1 and Q4 )

(same drawback for Wilson mirror)

Figure 8.39 A cascode MOS current mirror.
 Wildar current source

Resistor 𝑅𝑅𝐸𝐸 decreases 𝑉𝑉𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵 ⇒ decreases 𝐼𝐼𝑂𝑂

Assume matched transistors

𝐼𝐼𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅
𝑉𝑉𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵 − 𝑉𝑉𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵 = 𝑉𝑉𝑇𝑇 ln
𝐼𝐼𝑂𝑂
𝐼𝐼𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅
𝐼𝐼𝑂𝑂 𝑅𝑅𝐸𝐸 = 𝑉𝑉𝑇𝑇 ln
𝐼𝐼𝑂𝑂
𝑅𝑅𝑜𝑜 = 𝑟𝑟0 [1 + 𝑔𝑔𝑚𝑚 (𝑅𝑅𝐸𝐸 ∥ 𝑟𝑟𝜋𝜋 )]

(increased output resistance)

Figure 8.42 The Widlar current source.

 Next subject: Some useful transistor pairings

Figure 8.44 (a) CC–CE amplifier; (b) CD–CS amplifier; (c) CD–CE amplifier.

(a) CC-CE: increases 𝑅𝑅𝑖𝑖 (due to emitter follower), makes faster (not obvious)
(b) The same with MOS. Faster (no improvement of 𝑅𝑅𝑖𝑖 )
(c) The same in BiCMOS: better 𝑅𝑅𝑖𝑖 than in (a), better 𝑔𝑔𝑚𝑚 than in (b)
Darlington configuration Sziklai pair (compound,
complementary Darlington)
npn
npn pnp

𝛽𝛽 = 𝛽𝛽1 𝛽𝛽2
𝛽𝛽 = 𝛽𝛽1 𝛽𝛽2

Figure 8.47 (a) The Darlington

configuration.
 CC-CB (CD-CG) configuration

Figure 8.48 (a) A CC–CB amplifier. (b) Another version of the CC–CB circuit with Q2
implemented using a pnp transistor. (c) The MOSFET version of the circuit in (a).

(a) CC-CB: fast because of CB, while large 𝑅𝑅𝑖𝑖 because of the follower
(b) The same with pnp BJT for CB
(c) MOSFET version of (a)